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suraheg · 27-02-2010 11:16am

Hey Guys

Going to florida for 8 nights the end of may. I am just planning it now, we've decided to go to non disney theme parks, islands of adventure, busch gardens etc. Anyway we've our hotel and flights booked, and am just wondering if anyone has any idea of the best restaurants and shopping places. we're not going to have excessive amounts of money but we're into places like old navy, vans, american eagle? Any idea of the best places?

mackey087 · 28-02-2010 9:39pm

we payed $600 for 2 14 day unlimited tickets for the parks you mentioned at the gate of wet n wild. shopping is great there. prime and premium outlets are great value. reebok store had 3 pairs of ladies runners for $60, ecko had 2 t shirts for 20 etc. all along int drive are loads of gift shops really nice clothes from $5 up. payless shoes is good value for mens runners, its like an irish version of tylers shoes. eating out is very well priced. ponderossa resturants offer $4 all you can eat breakfast and dinners from $10. sizzlers is another great place. they really love the steaks there. chinese buffets $10, chillies is good. olive garden resturant near wonderworks is very nice

Slunk · 01-03-2010 3:51pm

Get the 14 days Flexi ticket for the parks. Try avoid signing the back of it then you can sell it too some of the booths around for the unused 7 days. Wont get much for it but better than nothing.

Shopping is great as previous poster mentioned. Get an unlimited pass on the I-Ride trolley. This goes all the way up and down IDrive.For Busch Gardens get the Iride to seaworld and connect with the free shuttle there.

We had breakfast in sizzlers most mornings as it was next to our hotel. Great value plus they give you discount if you come back for dinner that evening, same applies for evening, discount for breakfast next morning. We went to TGI's too. Cheap enough food, $2 bottle of bud. Also, if your into italian food, theres a lovely restraunt just down past the upside down house. One of the nicest italians Ive ever had. Portion sizes are huge, we got half portions of pasta, recommended by waiter, and still didnt finish them. Staff are amazing too.

Dubdude · 02-03-2010 10:12am

Hi suraheg, you wanna really plan your days out before you go because if your goin for 8 nights the chances are you only have 7 days and your more than likely will take 2 days out for rest/shopping as it does take it toll on you walking around. In int. drive area alone there are 5 parks without travelling to disney or busch gardens.

The the 1st year we went we got the 14 day unlimited pass and done island of adventure, universal studio's, wet n wild, seaworld, aquatica all twice, done plenty of shopping and chillin out and was great.

The italian which was mentioned above is http://www.maggianos.com/ and is really one of the best places to eat over there, another nice one is bahama breeze.

Slunk · 02-03-2010 12:55pm

Yes thats the place, absolutely lovely. Didnt have food in Bahama breeze but had a few cocktails. Cant wait to get back in May. You could do one of the parks if your up early, like seaworld, closes at 6pm, back to your hotel to drop stuff off and then go shopping in one of the outlet parks. Then another day do wet and wild and go to the outlets at the other end of Idrive. It is do-able. I was only there for 7 days last time and got eveything in. A day of rest would have been nice but you can chill some evenings after the parks too, like when you get back from busch gardens. As far as I remember the outlets were open until 11pm most nights.

alexlyons · 24-03-2010 10:57am

I've been to Alton Towers a good few times and find it quite good, and at the right time of year, pretty good value. Last september, me and 3 friends (we're all guys) drove over for 2 nights, 3 days and it only cost us about €180 each all in, except lunch and dinner and any spending money obviously. It included park tickets for 2 day, water park tickets for 2 days, hotel, boat, fuel, breakfast for 2 days also.

We're thinking of doing it again and don't really mind going back there, but there is a slight thought by al of us that we'd like to try something new. We've only been to AT together that once, but all but one of us have been at least 3 times now.

It's looking like we'll have to go in the last 2 weeks in august at this stage, due to me possibly having one repeat to do in september and one of the other guys going back to college. We know it's going to be a bit more expensive in august. I did a very quick search for a similar AT trip, stena nordica from Dublin-Holyhead 2am on wednesday (gets us at AT at about 8/9) and return leaves holyhead at 9PM friday. SO you can see what sort of time frame we're looking at here.
All in again, it worked out at €265, that doesn't take into account bargaining with AT which I did last time, and a possible coupon for stena line. So I'd say all in for everything I'd say no more than €275.

So we're looking for alternatives, be it other, equally exhilarating theme parks in the UK, within a reasonable drive from a port. Or flying somewhere for a few days, preferably not for city life, but again hopefully for a theme park idea.

What are your thoughts and suggestions?

edit: anywhere in budget is on option, not just UK

Fratton Fred · 24-03-2010 1:20pm

Thorpe Park has some awesome rides.

super_furry · 24-03-2010 1:23pm

Yep, was gonna mention Thorpe Park. Haven't stayed there but I've visited and it's brilliant.

Fratton Fred · 24-03-2010 1:26pm

Any idea what Chessington is like these days? Quite possible to do a day in each.

TremblingTurnip · 24-03-2010 2:14pm

+1 for Thorpe Park, I was there a few years ago and it is awesome.

alexlyons · 24-03-2010 2:21pm

Thorpe park seems to be based on horror? doesn't really matter but good to know if it is.

Forgot to mention in the OP that anywhere is an option once it fits the budget, not just the UK.

alexlyons · 25-03-2010 9:49pm

any other thoughts on similar ideas for europe?

shanagarry · 25-03-2010 10:29pm

It's years and years since I was there myself, but what about the Blackpool Pleasure Beach?

And I've friends who go to Port Aventura, near Barcelona every year, but again, no personal experience.

enzo7 · 26-03-2010 5:25pm

Ya id go with portadventura you would be guranteed sun aswel in aug. Ryanair fly to reus which is only 10 min from there.

ziedth · 26-03-2010 5:38pm

I was in portaventura twice and couldn't reccommend it enough.

If you stay in the hotels there you get like a guest pass thing and can skip the lines.

alexlyons · 26-03-2010 6:40pm

port aventura sounds good, might extend the stay by a day though

what sort of rides are there etc? are there a fair few rides that would leave many feeling a bit worse for wear?!

enzo7 · 26-03-2010 7:02pm

Have a look on their web-site www.portadventura.co.uk will give you an idea.

trustno1 · 02-04-2010 9:27am

I went to De Elftling in the Netherlands last year and have to say I really enjoyed it, much more so than Disneyland Paris. I am hoping to go to Movieland Park in Germany this year and so far I have priced it at approx 500 for me and the two kids which includes flights, hotel and park tickets. This website should give you a good indication of the various parks around Europe:

http://www.themeparkcity.com/EURO_index.htm

rossie1977 · 02-04-2010 10:02pm

blackpool pleasure beach and portadventura are the two best theme parks in europe imo haven't been to europa park.........yet (going in july) http://www.coastergrotto.com/top-10-parks.jsp

blackpool has the coolest indoor water ride i have ever been on and i have been to all the top parks on planet earth including all the ones in orlando and cedar point

everything considered blackpool is a much better spot than alton towers, the theme park is actually in town not a million miles in the backcountry near nowhere, the parks are equal in terms of rides, blackpool has a beach and some of the best nightlife in the uk

northknife · 11-05-2010 6:14pm

Drayton Manor is about an hours drive south of Alton Towers so if you were to stay somewhere in between like Derby which is also close to East Midlands Airport.

http://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/

I havent been to Drayton Manor yet but have looked at the website quite a few times.
If you can save up I would go to Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio.One of the best places to go for thrill rides and situated on the shore of Lake Erie

http://www.cedarpoint.com/

Glowing · 11-05-2010 6:50pm

Six Flags in Northern Holland!!!

karltimber · 06-06-2010 1:23pm

So,

need to get away in july (only time available) - 2 adults & 3 kids (3,6,9).
Most websites don't cater for 2+3, it's all mainly 2+2 so searching hasn't been great.

France would be nice but expensive for 2 weeks in july for a caravan.
Kids would love to do legoland beside London.

so, what about this.

Fly to london and stay 3 nights odd and do legoland.
Then fly out of london for a week of sun somewhere ? Would it be possible to book the week away as a last min deal from london or is that too full of uncertanties. would love a week away in a nice hotel with sun. any websites for london last min deals (lastminute.com ??)

was looking at a greek island for 2 weeks - thats family friendly (without lager louts) - any ideas on this ??

Thanks

K

H8GHOTI · 06-06-2010 10:40pm

Friends of mine are in Cambrils Park atm with their kids and love it. It's about an hour from Barcelona, so would easy enough to reach from London.
It was on No Frontiers one night, there's a review here. Looks perfect for families. It's also close to Port Aventura Theme Park.

iceman777 · 25-06-2010 11:57am

Does anyone know any deals to get the to Oakwood theme park from Rosslare? http://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/home/default.asp?lang=

I'm looking to get the return journey included with the following:
- ferry
- bus to Oakwood from the ferry
- bus to the ferry from Oakwood
- entry to Oakwood

I can plan it all separately, but I'd liketo find a deal for it all if possible

eoferrall · 25-06-2010 12:06pm

stena line do day trips for cars (did this years ago when younger with parents!)

I also recall that bus trips were done, people got off ferry onto a bus - but we went in a car and it includes entry fee etc so thats the full cost.

http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/day-trips/daytrip-oakwood-by-car

The Davestator · 25-06-2010 7:45pm

ive done the day trip with stena the last two years. Only 59 euro for ferry, coach to park, entry to park, coach to ship and return to rosslare. - dont know how they make money, but thats the price!

Sandardie · 05-07-2010 3:52pm

I am trying to organise this trip also for my family of 3 and my husband looking at the boat times do you get to spend much time in Oakwood or would you suggest an over night ?

M three · 16-07-2010 4:55pm

mcgrate wrote: »

nah rent a small car and you'll be grand. We flew into nottingham, stayed in stoke-on-trent for 2 nights and drove to alton towers each morning. About 40 mins away and you have the flexibility of your own car.
Great weekend - highly recommend it.

Was thinking about heading there soon with herself, whats stoke on trent like to stay in? Is it anyway dodgy, any good restaurants there?

Appreciate any other feedback, thanks all

errlloyd · 27-07-2010 1:04pm

Hey guys, I'm gonna be heading over to Marbella in the next couple weeks, was wondering if anyone has been over, and most specifically has anyone been to Tivoli world Amusement park.

Their website is shocking, and in my experience theme park websites are amoung the most misleading things in the world.

So basically just wondering is it much craic, is it expensive? How does it compare to other amusement parks? And is it difficult to get to.

!MAVERICK! · 27-07-2010 2:52pm

I was there when I was about 10, Its a good park alright theres plenty to do with a great selection of rides, You should go at nighttime, its more lively then. Dont know if they have added anything since but its a night I would never forget in my life.
Cant remember anything about prices as I was there 10 years ago.

coffeelover · 27-07-2010 5:47pm

I was in Marbella the last two years and absolutly loved it. Going again in a few weeks

..
I planned to go to tivoli world last year as my mother was there years ago and she loved it. But I didn't because it got very bad reviews on trip advisor and apparently it's quite expensive

errlloyd · 27-07-2010 9:38pm

Appreciate both answers, completely forgot about trip advisor tbh. I always find trip advisor a bit funny, because expectation is a huge influence on peoples reviews.

Spooky1666 · 04-08-2010 6:11pm

WooPeeA wrote: »

Do you know any theme park in Ireland? Or any other place that one who loves them should visit in??

I'm big fan of theme parks. Especialy the rollercoasters and other extreme attractions. AMAZIG!

I'm with you too on that! It's so bad that this country doesn't have a theme park! If you want the biggest, fastest, holy **** that was amazing, rides in Europe then you need to go to PortAventura in Spain. Lots of fun rides but 2 AMAZING Coasters. Dragon khan, 8 proper massive loops, it's so big you can see it 12kms away on the motor-way driving up

and Furious Baco, a launched roller-coaster that goes at 0 to 135 km/h in only 3 seconds!! and there is a twist! the seats arnt in the coaster they are hangin from the side!!!! I've been on both rides and they are truly amazing!! And if you like drops they have the hurricane condor!! The highest drop in europe!! which drops at 100 km/h and tutuki splash, a very fun boat water ride where you drop down a waterfall on a volcano and oh it also has a waterpark

PortAventura exceeds any park you'd find in Britain.

ITS TRULEY AMAZING

JeffCash · 18-08-2010 5:28pm

Hi All,

I'm hoping to head off to Disneyland Paris for 2/3 days in the first week of September. It's just myself and the girlfriend going. Can anybody recommend what's the cheapest way of sorting accomodation and park tickets?

Thanks

snowdaze · 18-08-2010 6:08pm

you will get varying advice here but this is what I always do:

book accomodation with www.activehotels.com you can choose between hotels like:

kyriad - no pool
magic circus - pool ok
explorers - great pool for kids and fun for adults too
dream castle - pool good for all

I have stayed in them all and favourite is Dream Castle but all are good and can be great value.

if you book with them, you give cr card details but pay how you like at the hotel, you can cancel it up until day before, you keep checking it up until when you go and it usually comes down in price so you book it again and cancel the first reservation!

shuttle bus from front door of hotel to disney every few minutes, which takes a few minutes

TICKETS:
I buy an annual pass - called the Fantasy passport approx €130 each - you get 10% off in all disney shops and hotel disney shops and the restaurants in disney parks and village - you also have unlimited entry to both parks for the full year (there are a few certain days excluded - check the dates but doesn't usually affect the Irish traveller)

Hope this helps....I didn't make it there this Summer and my passes have ran out again - will definitely be back again next year - been about 10 times

m.j.w · 18-08-2010 9:59pm

I would recommend staying in paris itself and travelling to disneyland on one of the days. Theres loads to do in paris and you could easily pass 2 days there and then do disney on the other day. We went to disney one of the days and got everything done and it would probably be cheaper this way. It takes about 45 minutes on train to get there and i think it was about 6 euro return. If you were going with kids maybe you could spend 2 or 3 days there but we just went for the rides and one day was plenty. We stayed in http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Crowns-Etoile-Hotel/Paris/5071 its a hotel not a hostel but its very basic but tbh you will never be in it. We have stayed there twice and would have no bother going back. There is so much to see in paris that you will always be out and the location of that hotel is amazing. Its about 200m away from l'Arc de Triomphe and there is a nearby subway station. Id would defitely recommend doing it this way.

JeffCash · 20-08-2010 1:09pm

Thanks a million for the advice. I've never been to Paris before so the more I think about it I feel that doing both options (Disneyland and Paris) might be the best option. Would it be better to stay in Disney land and go in to Paris or vicea versa. Also do you know is the annual ticket transferrable as I have friends who will be going there during the year?

Fratton Fred · 20-08-2010 1:35pm

I stayed in the Tulip Inn, Marne La Vallee a few weeks back. It is 200metres from Bussy St George station, which is 5 minutes from Disneyland and about 30 minutes from Paris itself. We bought tickets in the Hotel for the park. They are no cheaper, but it saves queueing.

The Hotel was fine, but not much to doing the immediate area other than a couple of restaurants. it is only a ten minute drive from the park, so if you wanted a night out, you could go to Disney Village or Val De Europe and either get the train back, or a taxi.

We spent a day in Paris and caught the train to Charles de Gaulle Etoile, the station at the Arc de Triumph. From there we grabbed a hop on hop off bus, which was absolutely brilliant. The stop is at the top of the Champs Elysees by the subway and stops at all the main attractions where you can jump off and visit and then get back on the next bus. You get headphones and there is a running commentary in English. After that, we caught the train to Anvers and went up the Fenuculaire to Monte Marte.

I know it's not what you asked, but I thought it might help you plan.

Enjoy.

Stab*City · 21-08-2010 8:11pm

Going myself in october for the 5th time to paris and 3rd to disney.. if i was in your position id stay in paris and go visit disney.. especially if your only going to disney for one day.. the train to disney is very handy..

Fol20 · 21-08-2010 8:18pm

If your going to paris especially for disney land,id stop planning right now.In terms of theme parks,disneyland isnt great.There are very few rides for adults as its geared more toward children.If your looking for a cheap holiday for a theme park,id recommend thorpe theme park in london.Its very compact and you could do the entire park in 1 day.It would be much cheaper as well because its just outside london.Thats my 2 cents about theme parks but i suppose paris city would be much more romantic if thats what you are looking for;)

phunkymonk · 23-08-2010 9:27am

Hey,

Heading to Orlando in 2 weeks and just wondering whats the best way to get tickets to the theme parks?

should we wait til we get over or is there a good irish/english website we can order from that will deliver them within the next few days at a good price?

Cheers!

23-08-2010 9:55am

At this stage -get them over there.
I'd recommend getting the queue skipping express tickets even though they will be a lot more expensive.
If you like a ride,you can do it many times if you have that and you speed around the resort a lot lot quicker.Doing a ride a few times otherwise will mean 2hrs in a queue total or more at various times.
Waiting in a 30min queue each time in 90 degree heat is not what you want to do believe me.

Iirc they could be $150 each but worth it!

If you are staying at the in resort hotels near universal,then the room keycard acts as a queue jump so you'll only need the standard entry tickets.
Ask at your hotel or if not booked yet enquire and stay there.

lynchie · 23-08-2010 10:53am

phunkymonk wrote: »

Hey,

Heading to Orlando in 2 weeks and just wondering whats the best way to get tickets to the theme parks?

should we wait til we get over or is there a good irish/english website we can order from that will deliver them within the next few days at a good price?

Cheers!

Heading over in two weeks myself. I ordered the 14 days pass from http://www.attractionticketsdirect.ie/ last week and they were posted on Friday to me so they are probably waiting at home for me today.

Dubdude · 23-08-2010 11:01am

There would be no need to get the express fast pass tickets for the time you will be there, I have been to orlando in sept. for the last 2 years and the ques were grand as alot of kids are gone back to school.

The 1st year we got the tickets over there off our tour rep and last year we bought them in tour america before we went think it was 175euro pp for the 14 day 5 park universal flexi ticket.

23-08-2010 11:22am

I beg to differ having been there many years in a row and twice recently in september,but to each their own.
If you are happy wasting half the day queue'ing or going on some of the rides you like a few times easily with a fast pass,it's up to you.

You are only there the once,it's not as if you can hop on the dart and you are there again.

Pudding11 · 23-08-2010 11:26am

Went to Orlando with 3 others at the beginning of May. We got all our tickets through www.attractionticketsdirect.ie
Would highly recommend them, they have great deals and advised us on the best combination of tickets so we wouldnt be overspending on ones we didnt need. They also kept photocopies of the tickets so when a couple were lost during the holiday, they gave us the serial numbers so we could get them replaced at the park with no hassle.
I would definitely use them again as they do tickets for other destinations too.

phunkymonk · 23-08-2010 3:52pm

good stuff, think i will use that website aswell and just collect them from the office...

countin down at this stage and it cant come quick enough..dyin to hit the water parks

,whats the best one?stayin near aquatica so prob head there once or twice if good..what was the weather like in september when ye were there guys?

Pudding11 · 23-08-2010 4:47pm

Aquatica was great fun, have to say I really enjoyed the Disney water parks as well. Worth visiting if you can. We went to pretty much every theme park in the area and had a brilliant time. At beginning of May there werent much in the way of queues so hopefully you will be lucky in September.

ncmc · 24-08-2010 12:41pm

Dubdude;67612260]There would be no need to get the express fast pass tickets for the time you will be there, I have been to orlando in sept. for the last 2 years and the ques were grand as alot of kids are gone back to school.

+1 on this, I've been there twice at the end of August/start of Sept, I don't think you would need the Express Pass, get there at opening, have a plan what you want to ride first and head straight there. I also recommend looking at a map before you go so you have an idea where the rides you want to see are. Don't waste time standing in the park looking at a map, I know that sounds anal, but it really does pay to do this. The queue at the popular rides an hour after opening could be 1 and a half - 2 hours. Whereas if you get there at opening, you should walk pretty much straight on. At Universal head straight to Rip Ride Rocket, then The Simpsons, then The Mummy. At Islands of Adventure, head straight for Harry Potter land.

With the Disney parks, you don't have to pay for an express pass, you use a free system called Fastpass. You go to the ride you want, insert your tickets and you will get a ticket with a time printed on it (normally an hour later, but could be later if the ride is very popular.) You then return at your alloted time and get to go via a much shorter line (in fact most of the time you walk straight on).

The weather in Sept should still be very hot, but not as humid as July/August. It can rain quite a bit, but normally it will rain torrentially for an hour or so in the afternoon and then clear, rather than drizzling all day.

Enjoy, I'm very jealous, I love Orlando!

Slunk · 24-08-2010 2:14pm

As was already mentioned, I got mine from ATD. Found them to be the cheapest. Also, theres no need to buy the fast pass in sept. Most I waited for a ride was ten minutes for Shiekra.

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